Jordanian police question prominent opposition leader

Published November 15th, 2002 - 02:00 GMT

Jordanian authorities detained for several hours Friday a prominent opposition leader and former legislator in southern Jordan in connection with a po

Jordanian authorities detained for several hours Friday a prominent opposition leader and former legislator in southern Jordan in connection with a police hunt for an armed gang blamed for attacking police earlier this year.

Leith Shubeilat told The Associated Press he was arrested for 11 hours at an Amman police station, but that he was later freed without charges.

"They told me they were not happy with my behavior," he said. "I have nothing to do with the events in Maan," he said.

Security officials said Shubeilat was questioned on suspicion of instigating riots in Maan, where five people have been killed and at least 20 wounded since police stormed the city Sunday.

Earlier, the same officials said Shubeilat was accused of inciting residents to riot in phone calls apparently intercepted by police.

Shubeilat said he was arrested shortly before dawn in his home in Tafileh and brought to the Amman police station.

In Maan Friday, police continued to collect weapons in line with government plans to transform this city into a "weapons-free" zone. Security officials said at least 450 machine-guns and pistols have been retrieved since Thursday. (Albawaba.com)